You can never, ever leave.

His expression revealed his disappointment at this, but there was something else there, too. He was positive now that she really had no invitation, and also had snuck in. Then again, her coming alone and having to stay with relatives seemed to make a lot of sense, and Larkin began to doubt his talent for smelling a lie.

He smiled suddenly, discarding those things from his mind. They weren’t to be dwelled upon; it wasn’t as if he had to conform to her plans. If he wanted her to stay in the castle, she would have no choice but to oblige. Larkin didn’t believe he would have to order it so; she seemed the sort to be easily persuaded. This, he was very skilled at.

The music didn’t seem to change any longer. It kept a medium pace to the dancing. The musicians had seen that Larkin had no intention of stopping any time soon. He was enjoying the girl in his arms too much, but he wondered the time of night, and the state the other governors were in. Should he make his announcement now or even at all? No, not now, it was too soon and he hadn’t enjoyed himself enough.

He continued to smile at Stelon as they danced, asking very slyly, “Would you like an invitation?”